JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After announcing a program that opened for applications Monday to help with rent and utility assistance for those in need because of COVID-19, the city of Jacksonville just opened a similar program for mortgage assistance.
The city has $4 million in federal funds to distribute to Duval County residents who are unable to pay their mortgage payments due to a loss of income related to COVID-19. The Mortgage Relief Program begins accepting applications Wednesday morning.
Individuals requesting assistance must be the owner and occupant of the property. The program will provide up to six months of delinquent mortgage payments or $7,500, whichever is less. Payments will be made directly to the mortgage company.
RELATED: Clay County residents can apply for rent/utility assistance
Federal guidelines require qualifying individuals and families to have an income that falls below 80% of the area median income. The requirements are as follows:
Household size - total income
One person -- $42,000
Two people -- $48,000
Three people -- $54,000
Four people -- $60,000
Five people -- $64,800
Six people -- $69,600
Seven people -- $74,400
Eight people -- $79,200
In addition to the income prerequisite, applicants must provide proof of delinquency as well as a W-9 form from their lender. Obtaining these documents will be the responsibility of the applicant and are mandatory.
Those interested in the program are strongly encouraged to create a MyJax account before applying. The same website and account will be used for the application process. Individuals can create a MyJax account at myjax.custhelp.com. While individuals may create a MyJax account immediately, the application process will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 31.
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, call 904-630-2489 (CITY).
Data show the relief is needed right now. For renters, there are 510 families who have been served an eviction notice in Duval County alone, once the federal moratorium is lifted, those people will be out unless their back payments are paid in full.
The CDC and the Federal Housing Finance Agency have extended their eviction and foreclosure moratoriums until the end of June.
Jacksonville Legal Aid attorney Mary Devries said she believes the extension was to prevent people from crowding into homeless shelters if forced out of their homes.
“A lot of the new rental assistance programs haven’t been distributed yet,” Devries said.
Here’s how to apply if you need rental assistance.